Laragon Almond Processors Information
Laragon is Almond Hulling & Shelling plant
located at
We are also SQF 2000 quality accredited.
A Brief History
The almond industry has played - and continues to
play a vital role in the Riverland's economic development. Laragon Pty Ltd is
an integral part of the industry, and is helping drive its strong growth.
The history of Laragon stretches back to 1972, when almonds were first planted
on 300 hectares at
Production gradually increased, and in 1978 the growers built a hulling and
shelling plant at
Jubilee Almonds commenced the development of a 460-hectare almond orchard at
Overland Corner, near Waikerie in 1988.
In 1995, Lemilet and Jubilee agreed to form a new
company, Laragon Pty Ltd, to take over the processing operation of Lemilet. Included in this arrangement was the commitment to
build a state-of-the-art design plant to be commissioned for the 1997 harvest.
Achievements
The world class hulling, shelling and cleaning
plant was installed ad commissioned, ready for the 1997 harvest, at a cost of $2.4
million. The design of the plant generated 3 times the processing capacity of it's predecessor. As
with everything at Laragon, quality was at the forefront in the plant's design,
as quality is seen to be the key to the development of both domestic and
international markets.
The 1997 season saw 4500 tonnes of kernel and 200 tonne of in-shell processed
through the new plant.
Holding to its desire of 'Quality' processing, Laragon gained an SQF 2000
Quality Accreditation in 1998. Ten years on and Laragon is again looking to
further expand, as increased plantings and subsequent product needing to be
processed, places pressure on the current facility. 2005 saw the initial plans
for expansion and split flow hulling & shelling drawn. In October of 2006,
the company Managing Director and Manager visited 14 huller shellers
in the
Almond Hulls for stock feed.
Hulls
Laragon generates between 10000 - 20000 tonne of hull ( husk
) each year, depending upon seasonal conditions. Most of this hull is fed by
the dairy industry to supplement the cows' total ration, aiding in the
reduction of the overall feed costs.
A high percentage of hull is hammermilled
on site for dairy customers, the rest remains unmilled. Some hull is utilised
by pellet mills and is included in sheep and cattle pellets.
Almond hulls contain approx. 4.1% protein and have an approximate energy value " M.E. of 8%", which is about 70% of that of feed
barley or early cut hay.
Shell
The shell is separated and also used as a stock fee supplement as well as
garden mulch.
